The Role of Tools in Freelance Writing: Insights from Successful Copywriters

As a freelance writer, using the right tools can significantly impact the quality and success of your work. Two tools that stand out are Grammarly and Copyscape. In this article, we'll explore how these tools fit into the workflow of successful freelance writers and why they are essential.

Grammarly: A Double-Edged Sword

When it comes to Grammarly, opinions can be divided. Amanda, a freelance writer, uses it almost every day but admits to sometimes disagreeing with its suggestions. Amanda shares, 'Every day, I rely on Grammarly, but it can be frustrating at times.'

Despite the occasional frustration, Amanda appreciates the tool, especially for its ability to catch basic grammatical errors. However, in the realm of copywriting, the rules can bend. Amanda states, 'Advertising copy and direct response copy often don’t follow the rules of grammar. Why? Because the average prospect doesn’t!'

She further explains that some of her most successful copywriting, which had the highest Return on Investment (ROI), would likely earn her English teachers a heart attack. Amanda remembers sending a copy of her first book to her high school English teacher, who returned it with corrections. However, the book became the foundation for a business, and it’s still available on Amazon under the title 'Leaving Your Home- ALONE!'

Amand explains, 'Good marketing and advertising speak like a conversation, not the King’s English. And I break all the rules. Just like the previous sentence which started with 'And'! Because that's how my prospects communicate. I use contractions and other elements that traditional writing would frown upon.'

In essence, for successful freelance writing, Amanda argues that the key is to connect with readers in their language, not the overly formal language of schoolteachers.

Copyscape: A Plagiarism Check Essential for Freelancers

Much like Grammarly, Copyscape plays a crucial role in Amanda's writing process. She always includes a Copyscape Premium report in every piece of writing she submits to her freelance clients. This report verifies that her work is original and plagiarism-free.

Amanda elaborates, 'Every single piece of writing I submit to my freelance clients includes a Copyscape Premium report. Even if a client doesn’t ask for it, I always send these reports to prove that my work is genuine and plagiarism-free. Some clients include a Copyscape requirement as part of their project description.'

She also adds that Copyscape Premium is a part of her "holy writing trinity," alongside Grammarly Premium and Readability Score. Amanda's process is thorough, and she has no exceptions to this rule. She emphasizes, 'I've been doing this for years, and it has helped me build long-term freelance business relationships. Not a single client has complained about it.'

Amanda's experience with Copyscape is insightful. She notes, 'Copyscape Premium is not something I run every piece of writing through. It’s up to you whether or not you will use it, but pay or get paid for original work only!'

Conclusion

The tools used by freelance writers are not one-size-fits-all. While Grammarly is useful for catching grammatical errors and ensuring consistency, Copyscape is vital for maintaining the integrity of your work. Both tools can be part of a writer's arsenal to produce high-quality, original content.

Success in freelance writing depends on connecting with your audience and delivering valuable, original content. Tools like Grammarly and Copyscape can help you achieve these goals, but it ultimately comes down to understanding your audience and adapting your writing style accordingly.

For freelance writers looking to improve their craft, consider integrating Grammarly and Copyscape into your workflow. While the rules of traditional writing may not always apply, the principles of producing quality, engaging content will always hold true.